Mental Health Specialist

Company:  SENT
Position:  Mental Health Specialist
Job Classification:  Exempt, Full-time
Hours:  40 Hours per week
Pay Range: $55-$65K per year, based on experience
Reporting Relationship:  Mental Health Director
Location:  Onsite, Hi-Crest area
 
SENT’s Mission:
Intentionally walking beside neighbors through loving relationships and strategic development to accomplish the holistic transformation of neighborhoods in Shawnee County.
SENT’s Vision:
Wholistic transformation of neighborhoods in Shawnee County, with an emphasis in Hi-Crest.
SENT’s Core Values:
Relocation, Redistribution, Reconciliation, Wholistic Approach, Empowerment, Listening to the Community, and Leadership Development.
Position mission:   The Mental Health Specialist is responsible to coordinate and conduct client assessments, problem identification, service coordination, counseling, education, advocacy, discharge planning, and organize and coordinate support groups for clients and their families. This supports SENT’s mission by ensuring timely and accurate work that is completed in a satisfactory manner exceeding expectations.
 
Essential Functions:
Clinical Work

• Participate in comprehensive evaluation of community members as indicated
• Provide individual and group counseling and support to community members
• Plan individual school programs to promote a positive and caring school climate and SENT community as needed
• Coordinate and facilitate appropriate community services to students as needed
• Work with students regarding their social and emotional problems interfering with adjustment and achievement in school and in the community
• Develop crisis management plans and respond to crisis situations in school as needed
• Help clients develop coping mechanisms
• Closely coordinate and monitor services
• Responsible for maintaining a filing system
• Provide support to classroom teachers as needed

Case Management/Community Engagement

• Implement appropriate programs, groups, and initiatives to target at-risk populations
• Work with community agencies and groups to assist in developing appropriate intervention strategies
• Provide appropriate referrals to outside agencies or providers and/or assist clients in finding the needed mental health services
• Provide wholistic support by connecting individuals to appropriate resources in the community
• Support the mission of SENT by walking alongside community members through loving relationships as they work to reach their goals and overcome barriers
• Provide support to community members by assisting with the strategic development of obtainable goals

General Responsibilities:

• Great work ethic and attitude
• Support SENT’s strong relationship culture through quality customer service and exceptional teamwork skills
• Provide superior client service by resolving problems efficiently and responding timely
• Prioritize and manage work effectively
• Identify and implement solutions to problems in general and urgent matters
• Actively seek to add and enhance knowledge regarding developments and current trends in the industry that will serve SENT’s needs
• Seek the counsel of supervisor on assignments and financial concerns or other issues as appropriate
• Work collaboratively with staff to maintain a team environment to accomplish the tasks necessary to serve and support the company
• Flexible to accept additional assignments as requested by leadership
• Cross-train for other positions to cover when necessary
• Professionalism while representing SENT (onsite, professional and community events and via communications)
• Participate and attend meetings as requested
• Recommend policies and procedures as they relate to the area of responsibility
• Timely responses to inquiries for information to customers, staff, BOD, and vendors
• Comply with federal, state, and local laws
  • Follow SENT’s policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned

Performance Measurements and Accountability:

• Accurate and timely completion of the work assignment
• Collaborative relationships are developed and maintained with clients and staff (internal and external)
  • Team player that accomplishes work tasks in collaboration with others
  • Ability to change while accepting and supporting management decisions
• Achievement of objectives as outlined by leadership
• Strict confidence and confidentiality
  • Maintain HIPAA compliant documentation in a timely manner
• Arrive and depart from work timely per schedule
• Recommended Training: Christian Community Development Assoc (CCDA); Trauma practices and experience with at-risk communities
• Meets the state licensure requirements
• Ability to effectively write detailed reports and correspondence
• Ability to communicate well and in writing, with parents, patrons, staff, and students
• Ability to speak in front of large and/or small groups

Qualifications: (Knowledge, Skill, and Ability)

• M.S. in Psychology, Human Services, Sociology, Social Work or another related field, required
• Licensed or licensed-eligible, required
• Counseling experience, 3 years required
• Bilingual Spanish, preferred
• Resident or willing to move to Topeka, KS, preferred
• High level strategic planning skills
• Ability to make effective decisions that produce positive results
• Ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written communication
• Attention to detail
• Ability to organize work and projects to ensure timely completion
• People skills: collaborative spirit, compassionate, and team player
• Valid Kansas driver’s license
• Excellent leadership, management, and communication
• Knowledgeable and willing to support the mission, vision, values, and strategies of SENT
• Expressed ability and/or references in:
  • Hard working, detailed, organized, enjoyable to work with
  • Follow through, accountable and independent execution
  • Compassionate, perseverance, patient, and empathetic
  • Able to define necessary boundaries with coworkers, families, and others
• Demonstrated ability in working with children, families, volunteers, and community leaders
• Demonstrates leadership ability, interpersonal skills, and organizational skills
• Demonstrates excellent teamwork skills and working together to achieve successful outcomes
• Demonstrates emotional maturity and stability and the ability to handle crisis situations
• Demonstrates independent work skills to guide effective decision making and positive results
• Person-Centered Case Management (PCCM) certification or a willingness to obtain certification
• Willingness to expand knowledge of community resources and develop appropriate connections
• Maintain healthy boundaries between self and client
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, as required by HIPAA
• Maintain personal qualities that enable effectiveness: realistic, patient, flexible, and self-confident
• Ability to be a good advocate
• Must clear a background check

Candidates that are that are diverse or are bilingual, Spanish speaking, are highly encouraged to apply. SENT is committed to serving the Hi-Crest Neighborhood located in Topeka, KS. We recognize the diversity in our community and value unique strengths of individuals in supporting those who we serve.
Physical Demands:

• Speaking, hearing, visual, mobility, dexterity, consistency of temperament, multitasking stamina for stressful situations
• Fast-paced environment; some lifting, sitting, standing, walking at will
• Lift and move items up to 50 pounds
• Sit for extended periods of time
• Ability to concentrate on detailed information
• Ability to work on the computer for several hours at a time
• Ability to bend, kneel and reach items
• Must be able to speak and listen effectively
• Vision abilities for close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• This is a non-smoking work environment, including all premises and other such areas
• Travel may be required, along with that entails standard travel risks  

Additional Duties:
Additional duties and responsibilities may be added to this job description at any time. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee(s) holding this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related responsibilities as requested by their supervisor.
Benefits: Medical Insurance, Dental & Vision, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off